General RS Choir, show time!

"Oh how glorious from the throne above, shines the gospel light of truth and love..." these words sum up the feelings of an amazing weekend as I had the opportunity to be part of the General Relief Society broadcast.  It is hard to express the experience in words.  We arrived at the Stake center at noon to be bussed by stake up to the conference Center. Our bus happen to break down about 5 blocks from the conf. center.  It was too hot to sit so we started the walk north.  We had gone about 3 blocks when another bus picked us up.  Come to find out the bus driver had just run out of gas, too funny.  We went through security and headed into the little theatre where we received a few instructions and then walked through the tunnels to the choir seats.  I was so happy that I got to sit by my friends from the 5th ward that we used to be a part of.  I feel like that was a tender mercy to get to know some of them better and to share in such a neat experience with them.  We rehearsed and had tech. checks and then were blessed to hear from Sister Beck.  The woman is so amazing and full of the spirit.  She shared how much the music would mean to sisters from around the world and how they would hear the messages of the songs.  She also shared why we were wearing white shirts, black skirts, and a corsage.  She said it is the uniform the Singing Mother's would wear during world war 2 and that is symbolized singing mother's around the world full of hope and faith.
We came back to the little theatre for a sack lunch/dinner and had  chance to freshen up before the live broadcast. I was so thankful to be there.  So thankful for health.  So thankful to know my kids were at home happy with their dad.  So grateful for the gospel.  We walked back into our choir seats at 5:30 and watched in awe as the conference center filled with thousands of women.  We were all nervous and excited but felt prepared.  at 5 till the hour President Monson walked in and the center went silent as everyone stood for he and the first Presidency to come in.  It was awesome to know they were so close.  We were the opening number and it was a thrill to sing "THe Morning Breaks".  I tried to just enjoy the moment and trust what I had learned and practiced.  The end verse says, "Angels from Heaven and truth from earth, have met and both have record born"  When we sang it I new we were being joined  by angels from beyond the Vail and we were singing beyond our abilities.  It was so amazing, I didn't want it to be over.  As we sat and listened to the first speaker I got a terrible cough in my throat. I felt like I was choking and I couldn't make it stop.  I didnt' want to distract and was in a panic and prayed to be ok.  Thankfully a sweet sister 2 down had a cough drop that saved me.  My nose was running my eyes were watering, I felt like I was a mess.  I finally got put together just in time to sing the second work which was "Sweet is the Work"  I will never think of those words the same again.  I sang with an understanding a testimony that this life is work and it can be oh so sweet.
We again sang beyond ourselves and know we were being helped.  The last two songs, Hark all ye Nations, and Now let us Rejoice both went great as well and it was  such a thrill to be singing with all those sisters.  It wasn't until after I found out I was on the jumbo tron for the whole song because I was directly behind the chorister, too funny.  Elder Uchtdorf spoke which was the icing on the cake and did a fantastic job.  I love listening to that man. I feel close to the Savior when I hear him speak. 
After it was over it was back out to the buses and on to home. We arrived about 9:30.  It was so fun to see my family and re watch the broadcast on TV.  I actually got a little air time which was very exciting and fun to show my kids. 
It was an amazing experience from first to finish and one I hope I will never forget.  I love the sister I go to experience it with and love Sister Waddly the director for all she taught me.  I hope I will have more opportunities in my life to feel the spirit so strong!

Be what is Needed!

We had our last practice tonight for our General RS choir that will be singing next week.  It has been a sweet tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father to sing in the choir and be directed by a very talented and gifted master teacher, Sister Emily Wadley. She has a favorite saying, "Be what is needed".  I have taken it to heart and realized that what is needed of me might be different in every situation and although I may have more or less to give at any one time I need to give what it needed and directed by the spirit.  She has masterfully taught us to excell in our singing abilities and as women of God.  That each day we can follow the spirit and be what our Heavenly Father needs us to be. I am so grateful that she has been a living example of what she speaks and that through her the spirit has touched me and I have drawn closer to my Savior.  I am so excited to sing next week and pray that I may give what is needed!

Grateful for legs to run!

Tender mercy moment of the day is that Jonathan no longer teaches early morning and can continue to be my morning running partner.   I really can think of no better way to start the day than being in the cool crisp air, running with my best friend.  I love that I have the ability to run!

Time to fill the bucket!

I was reminded this weekend by the spirit through Stake Conf. that my spiritual bucket, if not filled daily, will go dry and I will be exposed the fiery darts of the adversary.  I was reminded of Elder Eyerings challenge to write daily the tender mercies in our life so here is my attempt at doing so.
  Although I myself was not prepared at the spiritual level I needed to be to hear stake conf. with the spirit my Heavenly Father spoke to me and helped me see areas in which I can improve.  His tender mercy to reach out when I was not consciously knocking is another witness that he cares and knows our hearts much better than we know our own. I am recommitted to daily feasting instead of nibbling on the scriptures.  I am recommitted to bringing peace in my home and studying the proclamation in depth with my children.  I am recommitted to repent more often and rely upon my Savior and increase my faith in Him.  I am recommitted to cherish and protect and nurture and love my children and husband.  How thankful I am for these tender mercies!

Our cute Lissy started kindergarten this week. She loves her teacher Mrs. Baird.  She gets to sit by her 2 friends from our neighborhood and loves to play on the new playground. She is quite the big kid now and we are surely missing her at home.  Janey has stepped up to oldest in the morning is learning her new role.  She and Cannon are so cute together and he loves to be where she is.